Saturday

Before you begin your dog training, there are certain things which you need to avoid. There are quite a few, but the most common may be generalized into the following main ideas.

First of all, pick the right breed. Many people fail to understand that different breeds of dogs have different proclivities and weaknesses. What this means ultimately is that different types of dogs are not interchangeable, and that a person should select a pet which suits his or her own tendencies. For example, it makes sense for someone with a sanguine temperament to get a dog which belongs to working breed. Likewise, if you’re more inclined towards less activity then you may want to pick a less energetic breed. It does not work to mix a quiet introverted person with a dog breed which is predisposed towards outdoor activity. But all concerns aside, the point here is that you need to pick a breed that suits your lifestyle.

Next, make sure that you are prepared for unexpected accidents. During your dog training, any number of things may happen and some can even affect your dog's health. Also, some dogs catch on pretty quickly, while others can be a little slow. If or, more likely, when something goes wrong, don’t be violent with your dog. That is counterproductive. Spanking and yelling will not make the whole training process go smoothly. It may even complicate things even further.

Potty training for example, can lead to a lot nasty emotions. It’s the kind of training that requires large amounts of patience, not to mention a little praise every time the dog does his business outside.

Of course, discipline and violent behavior are two different things and a little corrective measure is always necessary in facilitating the training process. Just remember that discipline doesn’t involve physical abuse.

And lastly, avoid exposing your dog to chaotic or loud noises during training, especially your voice, as they will only cause confusion and fear. And although it can be understandably difficult to avoid swearing or shouting when something goes wrong, it’s also something which needs to be avoided.

Dogs are very attentive creatures by nature and they can easily detect if you’re angry or about to do something unpleasant. The same is true for body movement. They can tell what you are about to do based on movement alone. As a result, in a tense situation, your dog may know what you’re feeling even before it registers inside your mind.

On the other hand, commands are understood by dogs partially at an emotional level, which means that if you intend to train them properly, you will need to put the right amount of emotion behind your voice. The trick of course is to balance it in such a way that it doesn’t scare your dog, while at the same time relaying the command that you want him to obey.

Other than the general tips mentioned above, here are also a few things which you need to avoid while training your dog (And although they may sound obvious, it always helps to have them as a checklist for easy recall):

•Kicking
•Hitting
•Tapping
•Throwing

•Yelling
•Grabbing
•Poking

Avoid these kinds of behavior, and with the right training routine, you’ll have an easier time
training your dog.